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As expected, the Aero 15X is an incredibly strong performer, even with a 7th-generation Intel Core i7 processor. The laptop downright destroyed the majority of our benchmark tests, and it plays the latest PC games admirably at 1080p and at high to ‘Ultra’ settings.
Here’s how the Gigabyte Aero 15X performed in our suite of benchmark tests:
3DMark: Sky Diver: 29,207; Fire Strike: 12,236; Time Spy: 4,690
Cinebench CPU: 739 points; Graphics: 89 fps
GeekBench: 4,534 (single-core); 14,907 (multi-core)
PCMark 8 (Home Test): 3,546 points
PCMark 8 Battery Life: 6 hours and 16 minutes
Battery Life (techradar movie test): 6 hours and 31 minutes
Total War: Warhammer II (1080p, Ultra): 47 fps; (1080p, Low): 99 fps
ME: Shadow of War (1080p, Ultra): 69 fps; (1080p, Low): 123 fps
Specifically, the Aero 15X outperformed the MSI GS63VR 7RG in the 3DMark Time Spy test by more than 600 points, and by nearly 2,000 points in the Geekbench multi-core processor test.
Of course, the Asus ROG Zephyrus we tested mops the floor with this laptop on account of its GTX 1080 Max-Q GPU.
That said, it’s not as far ahead as it arguably should be for the added cost of that top-end part.
Ultimately, the Aero 15X is going to rip through most PC games you throw at it on high settings and 1080p resolution, and should do so for at least the next few years.
Judging by its performance in both Total War: Warhammer II and Middle-Earth: Shadow of War, the Aero 15X should handle games that are both huge in scope and character count as well as those lush in detail and speedy in action, respectively.
Battery life
As for the other kind of longevity we think about when it comes to laptops, the Aero 15X managed to last longer than even some of the year’s top Ultrabooks in our battery life benchmarks. Lasting more than six hours in both of the tests, you can clearly count on the Aero 15X to last you on flights all over the US, western Europe and Australia.
These figures absolutely destroy the Zephyrus, leading it by several hours in both tests. Meanwhile, the GS63 VR 7RG only managed to be half as long-lasting compared to the Aero 15X.
This is likely thanks in large part to the 94.24Wh battery that Gigabyte crammed within the chassis, coupled with a screen that refreshes more slowly at 60Hz. Either way, you’re getting a truly reliable mobile computing companion whether it’s for work or play.
We liked
Off the bat, the Aero 15X offers strong performance for the price, and that’s power for both work and play, plus amazing battery life as the cherry on top. Couple that with an excellent keyboard in spite of a delightfully thin and light chassis, and you start to see the value here.
We disliked
That said, we do find this laptop a little pricey for the disappointing hardware pieces inside, like a more slowly refreshing display and a questionable touchpad. Plus, the hinge-oriented webcam is bothersome for anyone using this laptop to stream their gameplay or phone into a work meeting from home.
Final verdict
The Gigabyte Aero 15X is an excellent gaming laptop with proper media work chops as well, but it’s also a bit of a mixed bag in terms of value. Whether you should buy this gem will seriously depend upon your personal needs.
If you’re looking for the most affordable Max-Q GTX 1070 gaming laptop, you’ve found it – and it plays just as well as the pricier ones. However, that low price means a display that’s half as fast as its rivals and a disappointing touchpad.
In short, the Aero 15X is a fine high-end gaming laptop if you’re willing to overlook cut corners in places that won’t completely sour your experience.
